Just picked up a 503CW and I’m heading to the Scottish Highlands next month for a landscape trip. I need to nail the look on the first try since 120 film isn't exactly cheap these days.
I’m torn between:
- Kodak Portra 400
- Fujifilm Velvia 50
- Ilford HP5
My logic is that Velvia might be too contrasty, but Portra feels safer for the moody greens. I'm on a tight budget so I can't really afford to test all three before I leave. Is Portra 400 actually the best bet for those overcast mountain shots, or should I just stick to B&W to save some cash?
Rarely post but saw this and had to chime in. Regarding what #8 said about "Coming back to this, you've got that beautiful..."
- I agree, but for the Highlands, you really need to try Cinestill BwXX 120 film. I shot a roll of it in Skye last year and the grain structure in those misty peaks is unreal compared to standard stuff. It handles the dynamic range way better than HP5. Just make sure you use a yellow filter.
So funny you ask this — last summer I was up in Glencoe and thought I needed the fancy stuff to capture the scale of it all. I burned through a few rolls of Kodak Portra 400 120 Film and honestly, while the colors were nice, I realized halfway through that I was stressing way too much about the cost per frame. The Highlands have that way of making everything look epic regardless of the stock, you know? Since you're on a budget, I’d suggest shifting gears entirely to save your wallet without sacrificing that moody vibe. Here is how I’d tackle it if I were heading back there tomorrow:
- Ditch the color for most of the trip and load up on Ilford HP5 Plus 400 120 Film. It’s way cheaper than Portra, and honestly, those misty, overcast peaks just scream for high-contrast B&W anyway.
- If you absolutely must have color, grab some Kodak Gold 200 120 Film. It’s way more affordable than the pro-grade stocks, and that slight warmth can actually balance out those flat, grey Scottish skies better than you’d think.
- Use the extra cash you save to pick up a decent circular polarizer. It’ll do more for your landscape shots than a $15 roll of film ever could. Seriously, just pick up a bulk pack of the Ilford and enjoy the hike. You’ll be much less worried about the meter reading when you know you aren't burning a tenner every time you fire the shutter.
Honestly, grab some Kodak Portra 400 120 Film. It handles those moody, flat Scottish Highlands greens way better than the others — it’s just super forgiving if your exposure is a bit off.
So funny you ask this — I once spent a fortune on Fujifilm Velvia 50 120 Film only to realize the Highlands are mostly grey. Are you planning on shooting long exposures with a tripod?
Helpful thread 👍
Same boat, watching this
So funny you ask this. Last summer I took a trip through the Highlands and brought a mix of different rolls. I spent a whole day trying to balance the harsh light against the deep shadows of the glens, and honestly, I ended up wishing I had stuck to one consistent look. I spent way too much time fiddling with my light meter instead of just enjoying the view. If I were going back tomorrow, I would just grab a bunch of rolls from Ilford and call it a day. The B&W look captures the atmosphere of those mountains perfectly without you having to stress about color temperature or tricky lighting conditions. Just get any black and white film from Ilford and you really cannot go wrong for landscapes.
Coming back to this, you've got that beautiful Zeiss glass on the 503CW, so don't overthink the film too much. Honestly, just grab a bunch of negative film from Kodak. It’s got that latitude that saves you when the Highlands light shifts—which it will—every five minutes. Keep it simple and focus on the composition, because any professional negative stock from them will handle those moody landscapes perfectly.
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Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
Facts.